FEW people know its origin, but no-one doubts its meaning. When Australians use the word “pom”, they are talking about the British, more specifically the English. Usually, they attach a derogatory appendage such as “whingeing”, “bloody” or “bastard”, as in “pommy bastard”. Australians have been using the word freely since its probable emergence in the late 19th century as a nickname for English immigrants, a short form of pomegranate, referring to their ruddy complexions. Until now. An English reader of a Brisbane newspaper recently took a case to Australia's human-rights commission complaining that the use of the word “pom” in the paper's letters article breached the country's racial hatred act.
The act was introduced more with Australia's growing number of immigrants from non-European backgrounds in mind. Indeed, the “pom” case could be seen as an ironic subversion of official Australia's attempts to foster racial sensitivity. But the traditional relationship with Britain is also still a touchy issue in Australia. When Australians talk about “poms”, they are often expressing national pride—particularly during sporting contests such as the Ashes cricket series, which is about to get under way in England. (The poms are confidently expected to get their usual thrashing.)
Both countries still cling to crudely caricatured images of each other. A survey by the British High Commission in Canberra found that “feral tabloid newspapers”, “lousy food”, “losers at sport” and “whingeing poms” were among the most enduring Australian impressions of Britain. This year the British and Australian governments are lavishing millions of pounds on a campaign called “New Images”, which is trying to modernise Australia's and Britain's views of each other through cultural, scientific and educational exchanges.
This will not involve ousting pom from the vernacular. Sir Ronald Wilson, president of the human rights commission, dismissed the complaint on May 20th. He ruled that the law allowed for “a fair degree of journalistic licence, including the use of flamboyant or colloquial language”, and that “pom” or “pommy” was not likely to offend, insult, humiliate or intimidate people of English origin. It's enough to make a saint whinge.
